Injury Hit Cardiff City Hold Leicester To Draw

Cardiff City were hit by a series of injury blows but managed to hold big spending Leicester City to a goal-less draw at the CCS.

Lee Naylor replaced the previously injured Andrew Taylor, but the Bluebirds' left side was further hit when winger Craig Conway collided with the advertising hoardings and suffered a blow to his ankle. City had been poor to that point, but the introduction of Earnshaw and subsequent change in formation failed to help and the Foxes were the better side.

Earnshaw's most meaningful contribution was an excellent goal-line clearance to deny Lee Peltier. Despite having the better possession, Leicester City were far from impressive themselves and it was Matt Mills who had the only other chances, twice narrowly missing the target after reacting quickest. For City, a couple of efforts tested Schmeichel before substitute Earnshaw was himself withdrawn with a hamstring problem.

Rudy Gestede did have an impact, especially through the second half - in which Cardiff City played much better. Hudson was replaced by Blake at half-time. The closest to a goal came through two free-kicks, with Whittingham finding the side-netting and Paul Konchesky's curled low effort brilliantly saved by Marshall.

The Bluebirds did create one excellent chance, with McNaughton finding space and bursting forward, his pull-back found Gestede but Matt Mills produced a stunning block when Schmeichel would have had little chance. However, Gestede's impressive cameo came to an end when he too fell to injuru - this time it looked like a thigh strain but he was asked to play on, which he did valiantly though considerably impaired.

After that injury, it was mostly one way traffic with Leicester City looking to win the game. There were a few half chances, with Vassell and Andy King both scooping over the bar from inside the area, while former Aston Villa man Vassell came very close with a downward header that looped over Marshall but hit the bar.

All in all, a disappointing day for City. The original line-up played poorly, and the 4 injuries are untimely and may hit such a small squad hard. However, the work-rate and effort was again laudable, and a hard earned point against Leicester City is far from a disaster.